Exciting news -- Suncoast Audio goes brick and mortar

**Mike** · November 1, 2016, 06:06 PM

It all started about a year ago. I began looking for a place to rent. Having a proper B&M store means not having people coming to my home, it means dedicated showrooms, it means B&M only brands and it means "holy crap, this is a real business now!"

But for me, renting a place meant added pressure of that big monthly nut, something I did not want to undertake. Frankly, I like sleeping at night.

So, I decided about 6 months ago to look for a place to buy. Buying instead of renting allowed me to get over one of my mental hurdles. If I was going to buy, I wanted something big enough to accomodate at least 3 large, 18 x 24 x 10 sized dedicated, properly setup, treated rooms. Back in August, I found a place in the Lakewood Ranch area of Sarasota, Florida. I made an offer and we closed back in September. I immediately hired an architect and got all the plans drawn up, submitted my application to permitting and we received the go ahead this past Friday at 3pm. By 5pm, demolition was underway! With the exception of the bathroom and the kitchen, the entire place was demolished!

Some child labor! LOL.

As of today demolition is complete, and framing has begun for the new rooms. Electrical (dedicated 20 amp circuits) is going in later this week, then the drywall, paint, carpeting, etc.

My plan, as of now, is to show the following setups:

Room 1: Focal/VAC/PS Audio/Pass/VPI/Aurender/Kimber
Room 2: Magico/Vitus/Soulution/Aurender/Berkeley REF2/Chord DAVE/Shunyata Denali/Siltech
Room 3: Vandersteen/Ayre/Lumin U1/AudioQuest/Niagra 7000

** Of course there will be plenty of other products on display like KL Audio, Lampi, etc. which can easily be put into the mix for auditioning purposes. **

The Avantgarde's, Kronos, Triode amps, etc. will stay at my house and effectively offer me a fourth option for customers to audition.

I will of course have plenty of other equipment I can circle in and out and swap around as needed.

I will be treating all three rooms with Vicoustics and have already begun playing with some ideas via computer modeling.

I'm hoping to be open by the beginning of the year, but have a sneaking suspicion it will be earlier than that.

I will post back here as we make progress and keep everyone posted about the grand opening!

**CPP** · November 1, 2016, 06:17 PM

Awesome Mike, now I wonder how are you going to manage your "business " and now this adventure, should be fun.

**bzr** · November 1, 2016, 06:18 PM

Mike, congratulations & great to see you following your passion. Wish you all the success & really hope it's something that far exceeds your expectations.

**aardvarkbark** · November 1, 2016, 06:22 PM

Ayre?!? There's a waste of square footage.

**joeinid** · November 1, 2016, 06:26 PM

Congratulations Mike! I remember the days before the inception of Audioshark when it was just a dream. You've come a long way. Can't wait to visit and cash in my coupons.

**Audio 1** · November 1, 2016, 06:28 PM

Very awesome Mike! Looking forward to the continued progress.

**Mike** · November 1, 2016, 06:29 PM

Originally Posted by joeinid

Congratulations Mike! I remember the days before the inception of Audioshark when it was just a dream. You've come a long way. Can't wait to visit and cash in my coupons.

Thanks. For the record, I never wanted to be a dealer until after my Dad died in 2013 and my Mom died in early 2015. That's when it hit me: I no longer want to do what I don't love any more. I want to do what I love.

It's definitely the fastest way to turn a large fortune into a small one! LOL.

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**BruceLet** · November 1, 2016, 06:32 PM

Originally Posted by joeinid

Congratulations Mike! I remember the days before the inception of Audioshark when it was just a dream. You've come a long way. Can't wait to visit and cash in my coupons.

Speakers coupon...Buy one...Get one free. Not sure how that works.

**BruceLet** · November 1, 2016, 06:33 PM

Congratulations Mike. I know it will be a great place for audio.

**KeithR** · November 1, 2016, 06:57 PM

congrats, Mike. Will be sure to visit when I go see my father on Anne Maria Island.

**still-one** · November 1, 2016, 06:58 PM

Congratulations Mike. All of us are pulling for you and your expanded endeavor.

I'll keep watching this thread to monitor the progress of your store.

**asindc** · November 1, 2016, 07:27 PM

Congrats, Mike. May your successes exceed your expectations.

**mep** · November 1, 2016, 07:32 PM

Congrats Mike! I hope it's a smashing success for you. Having a B&M store opens up the possibility of new lines that you can't get from selling out of your home.

**Alpinist** · November 1, 2016, 07:35 PM

A heartfelt congratulations to you, Mike! Buying a dedicated space with three listening rooms is a brilliant idea. It will definitely cut down the traffic in your house and enable to optimize each system. I really like your choice of systems for each room, especially the Vandy/Ayre room!

Please continue to keep us posted as your B&M nears completion.

Best of Luck,
Ken

**annapolis Raider** · November 1, 2016, 07:38 PM

Best Wishes Mike. Hope your business expansion is a great success........

**jdandy** · November 1, 2016, 07:44 PM

Mike.......Exciting news. This may prove to be the catalyst that gets me to make the drive south for a visit.

I am happy to see you follow your passion and confident this will be a worthwhile and successful venture.

**audio.bill** · November 1, 2016, 07:48 PM

I have to commend you for having the conviction to do what you love most, it's a recipe for success in life. I expect that your substantial investment should reap many rewards and wish you all the best going forward as you continue to grow your business.

**Dth31** · November 1, 2016, 08:37 PM

Congratulations Mike. I wish you every success!

Dave

**Audiophilehi** · November 1, 2016, 08:40 PM

Very exciting Mike! Congratulations and best of luck!!

**Myles B. Astor** · November 1, 2016, 09:06 PM

Congrats on the big step Mike! Life is too short to do something you don't like.

Like Mark said, expect you will adding some other top brands to your stable too.

**bobwah** · November 1, 2016, 09:14 PM

Congrats Mike!
Best of luck with your expansion.

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**kevinkwann** · November 1, 2016, 09:24 PM

Finally, a reason to move to Sarasota. Congratulations Mike!

**matt_zak** · November 1, 2016, 09:37 PM

Congrats and good luck Mike!

**a.wayne** · November 1, 2016, 09:50 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Thanks. For the record, I never wanted to be a dealer ....

It's definitely the fastest way to turn a large fortune into a small one! LOL.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Congrats and good luck ....

**Jack** · November 1, 2016, 09:55 PM

Congrats Mike. Looking forward to seeing the store in the Spring when baseball season starts back up. Enjoy doing what you have a passion for.

**Ritmo** · November 1, 2016, 10:35 PM

Fntastic news Mike! I'll be great to have a great audio store nearby!

**the professor** · November 1, 2016, 10:39 PM

Thats GREAT Mike. Congrats!!!!!!!!!

**Paul** · November 1, 2016, 10:44 PM

We are all waiting in the line Mike !!!

Wish you the best !

**puroagave** · November 1, 2016, 10:48 PM

Congrats Mike, I hope your new venture exceeds even your highest expectations. and you're right, it ain't work when you love what you do.

**kzhtoo** · November 1, 2016, 11:26 PM

Woah. Congrats Mike.

**Duke97** · November 1, 2016, 11:55 PM

Congrats from the West Coast! I think every Audio Shark will now need to visit your store in FL!

Best,
Duke

**RLL1** · November 2, 2016, 12:01 AM

Congratulations Mike! I'm sure each demo room will be an audiophiles dream!

**MikeCh** · November 2, 2016, 12:56 AM

Great news Mike! Congrats on the expansion and best wishes on the new venture!!

If I ever get down your way I'll be sure to stop in for a visit. Would love to listen to whatever gear is in the stable at the time as I know the selection would be SUPER!

**asiufy** · November 2, 2016, 01:43 AM

Hey Mike,

Congratulations on the store! The construction part is a nuisance, but once that's done, it'll feel great

It's truly lovely having a place to go to every day, one that you actually enjoy spending time in!

cheers,
alex

**Dpod4** · November 2, 2016, 01:48 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

Thanks. For the record, I never wanted to be a dealer until after my Dad died in 2013 and my Mom died in early 2015. That's when it hit me: I no longer want to do what I don't love any more. I want to do what I love.

It's definitely the fastest way to turn a large fortune into a small one! LOL.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Congratulations. The universe finds a way to encourage and reward those who follow their passion.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

**'cisco** · November 2, 2016, 01:53 AM

Congrats Mike and best wishes for your success!!

**Kuoppis** · November 2, 2016, 02:16 AM

Congrats Mike, and best of luck!

How will you be able to handle the emptiness, that soon you cannot wander the halls of your home anymore and pop in for a listen to another six-figure-system in every room? Worse than that, there might be an irreversible trend on the way that the missus will start to spread furniture around the house instead of audio gear

Exciting news -- Suncoast Audio goes brick and mortar

.

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**Devg** · November 2, 2016, 03:12 AM

Congo Mike. Its a big step forward. My very best wishes.

**kiwi_1282001** · November 2, 2016, 07:19 AM

Mike,

I read an article earlier this week that suggested that there is real scientific and medical proof that doing work you don’t enjoy will actually shorten your lifespan....

Yes, I paused when I read that too.

Here is the link http://liveyourlegend.net/wake-up-ca...ave-your-life/

While i'm in no position to comment on the efficacy of such a hypothesis and its clear the article serves a commercial purpose, I do believe stress kills and that the vast majority of Americans are enslaved to cubical walled soul sucking jobs.

So, how great it is to read that you are doing what you love. When you’re motivated by a sense of mission and purpose, life is infinitely more satisfying.

Perhaps as a final act to mark completion of renovation works you place a photo of Mum and Dad on the wall?

Congratulations and wishing you great success Mike.

Regards
Ralph

**Cincy2** · November 2, 2016, 07:52 AM

Congratulations Mike. You will have many local visitors!

Eric

**Old Bob** · November 2, 2016, 08:25 AM

CONGRATS MIKE!!!! having my parents die, really opened my eyes too. life is NOT a warm up. it is the real deal, we only get ONE chance!

follow your dream. (and send excess equipment to me)

your better dressed friend.

Maunus

**Everest Audio** · November 2, 2016, 08:37 AM

Congratulations Mike! I'm sure there are many of us out there that have the dream of making the big leap to B&M. Good on you to take the plunge! Good luck!

**tunes** · November 2, 2016, 08:54 AM

Congrats Mike! Your family will get their house back

Tough part now will be what to keep at home to listen to and what stays at the store!

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**a.wayne** · November 2, 2016, 09:02 AM

Thats easy , after the store , it will be the last thing he will want to do.....

**MDP** · November 2, 2016, 09:35 AM

It's hard to believe that since we became friends so much has happened. First was the dream of owning your own forum, which has exceed all of our expectations!

Now you're going for it with a B&M store! I couldn't be happier for you, you deserve all the success in the world and I'm soooooooo excited for what will come in the future.

A HUGE congrats

**cmalak** · November 2, 2016, 09:38 AM

Mike...a huge congrats on the b&m store. I am so happy for you. Wishing you nothing but success and enjoyment in this new phase of your business venture.

Cyril

**Etunes** · November 2, 2016, 09:47 AM

Awesome!!!

Looking forward to the tour!!

Congratulations!

**wisnon** · November 2, 2016, 09:54 AM

Great news. Hearty congrats!

**baddog** · November 2, 2016, 11:28 AM

Congratulations and best wishes on your new endeavor Mike. It couldn't happen to a nicer guy! I wish you all the best. Glad you are living life on your terms.

**Dizzie** · November 2, 2016, 12:46 PM

Mike,

Congratulations and good luck. A really gutsy move. But that is what drives the audio industry (or any worthwhile endeavor) and makes possible all the great equipment available. Passion and the courage to take a risk. Or, option B, being certifiable.

The distance between insanity and genius is measured by success. Best wishes for success.

Thread: Exciting news -- Suncoast Audio goes brick and mortar